IELTS Exam

The education ecosystem in India is undoubtedly going through a transformation with new avenues opening for students every day. A major section of students today is inclined toward a global education to gain better growth prospects. However, there are a multitude of factors that need to be considered while one is negotiating their course of action to get admission in a foreign country. One of the major requirements in this process is proving your English language proficiency by attempting relevant tests such as IELTS. This article will take you through all the major aspects of the academic IELTS exam in order to make your exam journey smoother.

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Understanding IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has been the standard English test for around 30 years now and is widely accepted in 11,500 organisations across 140 nations in the world. While the test is co-owned by Cambridge English, IDP and British Council, it is now exclusively conducted by IDP in India. The 2 hour 45 minutes long test consists of four modules, i.e., Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking measuring a student’s expertise in each component individually on the scale of 0-9. An average of these four scores determines one’s overall band where 9 is the highest and 1 is the lowest. The four sections aim to evaluate various aspects of one’s understanding, for example, the reading test measures one’s critical thinking and comprehension, the writing test measures the ability to express your thoughts and write coherently, the speaking measures vocabulary and fluency, and the listening measures the skill to grasp ideas. Rest assured, universities in countries such as the UK or Ireland usually accept students with 6 bands and higher. The following table breaks down each component for a better understanding:

IELTS Test Preparation

An effective preparation usually consists of an in-depth assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses and then tackling the obstacles one at a time. One must understand that the key to learning any language is thinking in that language while the key to taking any exam is practice. In order to attain your desired score, one can develop a sense of familiarity by undertaking mock tests, exercising the types of tasks involved, testing oneself by stimulating the environment of the exam, timing oneself, and comparing your responses with modal ones. For IELTS, one can easily refer to the specialised IELTS exam books such as the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS or Official IELTS Practice Materials. One can also refer to available resources on the internet as well as the sample papers available on the official IELTS webpage. While there is an abundance of material, there is a need to understand and only refer to content from genuine sources. As such, one can also seek guidance from coaching institutes such as Fateh Education to prepare for the exam.

IELTS Test Dates and Location

The exam is conducted in both computer-based and paper-based modes. The paper-based exam can be easily attempted throughout the year as there are 48 fixed test dates annually meaning, 4 monthly test dates with Academic IELTS available on all 48 dates. The tests are usually scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays in order to maintain overall uniformity and provide convenience to the aspirants. On the other hand, computer-based tests are offered 3 times a day throughout the year except the public holidays. It is to be noted that while the other three sections are tested on the same day, the speaking test may be conducted 7 days prior to or after the selected exam date.

IELTS Fees

Students need a valid passport to register for the test which now costs 17,000/- INR for both modes. While the prices may vary depending on the country of the exam, the overall cost of the exam remains constant across the globe. One is liable to pay a sum of 3,300 INR in case they wish to reschedule their exam. IELTS one-skill retake is also available in India now.

IELTS Results

The exam results are usually declared within 3-5 days for Computer-based and 13 days for paper-based test of exam date. The scores can be easily accessed on the IDP IELTS webpage and are also available through SMS and email. One can access their Test Report Form on their IDP account. This TRF is sent to the targeted university as the official proof of one’s proficiency.

Test Centres

There are 75+ offline test centres in India in cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bathinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Kochi, Surat, Thane, Pune, etc. Students must be careful while choosing the appropriate test centre for themselves as there are more than one centre in a few cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi, etc.

IELTS Registration

One can easily book a slot by registering on the official IELTS India website or visiting your nearest IDP branch. One is free to select their exam date and test city as per the availability and pay via a valid card/a Demand Draft/depositing cash. Students are advised to register a week prior at least while they can book a slot three months in advance.

IELTS Books and Preparation Materials

For IELTS, one can easily refer to the specialised IELTS exam books such as the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS or Official IELTS Practice Materials. One can also refer to available resources on the internet as well as the sample papers available on the official IELTS webpage. While material is abundant, there is a need to understand and only refer to content from genuine sources. As such, one can also seek guidance from coaching institutes such as Fateh Education to prepare for the exam.

IELTS Pattern

The 2 hour 45 minutes long test consists of four modules, i.e., Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking measuring a student’s expertise in each component individually on the scale of 0-9. An average of these four scores determines one’s overall band where 9 is the highest and 1 is the lowest.

IELTS Eligibility & Validity

There are no specific prerequisites for an aspirant to attempt an IELTS exam such as academic qualifications, etc. However, it is preferred that the aspirant should be at least 16 years of age which may require consent from their legal guardian.

IELTS Sample Papers

Mock tests allow candidates to familiarise themselves with the test format and difficulty level. One can access IELTS sample papers and practice tests for each exam section below:

Listening:

Reading:

Writing:

Speaking:

FAQ

How early can I apply for my IELTS exam?

As early as 3 months. It is advisable to book at least 7 days before the exam date.

If I cancel my exam, will I get a refund?

A refund is only provided in case one cancels the exam five weeks prior to the exam date, with a 25% administrative fee reduction. However, if one cancels the exam in less than five weeks, no refund will be provided.

Conclusion

The IELTS exam is a crucial step for students seeking admission to universities abroad. We have equipped you with a comprehensive understanding of the test format, registration process, and resources for effective preparation. By strategically utilizing the information provided, and putting in dedicated practice, you can confidently approach the IELTS exam and achieve your desired score for a successful global academic journey.